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Nets shooting for fourth straight win

Feb 13, 2008 - 11:23 AM New Jersey (23-29) at Toronto (27-23) 7:00 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) - The difference between the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets can be traced to their results against the rest of the Atlantic Division.

Neither team is likely to catch the first-place Boston Celtics, but the second-place Raptors are 6-4 against the Atlantic compared to the Nets' 2-7 mark.

In the final game for both teams before the All-Star break, Toronto will try to break out of a trend in its last eight games that has seen the Raptors follow a victory with a loss.

Toronto coach Sam Mitchell left the team Monday and flew home to Atlanta following the death of his father-in-law. He is not expected back until after the break. Mike Evans served as head coach on Monday and Jay Triano will be in charge for Wednesday's game. The Raptors have lost their last three home contests.

The Nets, who are 11-14 on the road this season, have won three straight game, including a 92-88 home victory over Minnesota on Tuesday.

Toronto won the first of four meetings with the Nets earlier this season at home, 106-69.